Telangana High Court Affirms Muslim Women’s Right to Pray in Mosques

The Telangana High Court has ruled in favor of the right of Muslim women to enter mosques and offer prayers. The two-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao, upheld a previous decision allowing women from the Akbari sect to participate in prayers at the Ibadath Khana Hussaini mosque, while removing specific interpretations of Quranic verses included in the earlier ruling.

The case originated from a petition filed by the Anjumane Alavi Shia Imamia Athna Ashari Akhbari against the Muthawali Committee of the mosque, which had denied women access for prayers. The initial ruling supported women’s right to pray, but the Muthawali Committee appealed. Both parties eventually agreed that women have the right to enter mosques, though they cannot lead prayers.

The court’s decision directs mosque authorities to make suitable arrangements for women, ensuring separate prayer spaces for their participation.